abplanalp



Feb 7, 1956 R. H. ABPLANALP 2,733,842

AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed Jan. 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Faber! b! lbplanalp avg ATTO Y 2 mm AS L w 0 w H m E RA Feb. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 14 1950 INVENTOR Robert/iflbplana4o W4, ATTOR EY v United States Patent AEROSOL DISPENSER Robert H. Abplanalp, Bronx, N. Y., assignor of one-third to Frederick G. Lodes and one-third to John J. Baessler, both of Yonkers, N. Y.

Application January 14, 1950, Serial No. 138,578

2 Claims. (Cl. 222-394) This invention relates, generally stated, to the aerosol type of dispenser wherein the product to be dispensed is hermetically sealed within a gas tight valved container under sufficient gas pressure to expel such product through the valve in the form of a finely divided spray when said valve is manually operated. Paints, varnishes, insecticides, deodorants, and a wide variety of other products have been thus packaged. In practice, the product must be under considerable pressure in order to be properly atomized or sprayed as stated and consequently the container must be sufiiciently strong to withstand such pressures and the outlet valve must be firmly aflixed to the container to insure the integrity of its structure under all conditions of use.

The common practice in the manufacture of these pressurized containers is to construct the valve with an appropriate casing entirely separate and apart from the container and thereafter attach the valve casing to the body of the container by soldering, crimping or otherwise. With any of these prior methods of manufacture and assembly, there is an ever present tendency to leakage and considerable care must be exercised in these operations. Moreover, where a valve casing is made separate from the container body and soldered thereto, experience has shown that the casing must be made relatively large. In practice, these valve casings or mountings are never less than or 1" in diameter. This large size is not particularly objectionable when dealing with dispensers of the so-called beer can or similar types, wherein the body of the container is in the form of a metal can adapted to contain approximately a pint or half pint of the product. However, the prior practice is such as to be wholly impractical of use in connection with the dispensing of cosmetics, perfumes and the like, which are commonly sold in relatively small quantities and in correspondingly small containers.

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of container which may be made in any size to contain very small quantities or relatively large quantities of the product and to also provide a more economical, stronger and better container construction than has heretofore been suggested for the purposes stated.

Generally speaking, the method of this invention provides for the making of a container with an open bottom and with a valve casing an integral part of the top of the container. The valve is introduced into the container through the open bottom thereof and, after being thus positioned within its casing, is secured therein in any appropriate manner as by pressing a portion of the wall of the valve casing into a depression in the valve body. This firmly anchors the valve body to the container which is then filled and a bottom sealed in any suitable manner.

Features of the invention, other than those adverted to, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and appended claims, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings show the preferred form 2,7 33,842 patented Feb. 7, 1956 of container of the present invention and the successive steps of assembly, filling and sealing a dispenser according to the method of this invention, but the showing therein made is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a central section of a container body and valve casing integral with one another, according to this invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation of an outlet valve adapted to, be used with the container of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the valve positioned within the casing portion of the container, with illustrative apparatus to secure the valve in such position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the valve secured in position.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the assembled container and valve, with a dispensing press button fixed to the valve stem and shown in section.

Figure 6 shows the assembly of Figure 5 inverted and supported in an appropriate holder while the container is filled. This figure also shows in section a satisfactory bottom seal adapted to be thereafter secured to the container.

Figure 7 shows the container with the bottom seal attached, i. e., with the method steps concluded and the product ready for the market.

Figure -8 is an elevation showing one practical commercial form of the invention.

In carrying out the method of this invention, there is first produced a container, such as shown in Figure 1. This container may be made by an extruding or drawing operation or by a combination of both or the container may be cast, if so desired. Any appropriate apparatus, dies or other expedients may be employed to produce this container. This invention includes the container and is not concerned with the particulars of its manufacture.

The container of Figure 1 comprises a body 1 having an open bottom, as shown at 2, and provided at its opposite end with an integral valve casing 3 of an appropriate size and shape to receive the valve to be housed therein. The housing 3 has an end or top wall forming a top closure, centrally perforated at 4, for the passage of a valve stem. All parts of the structure of Figure 1 are integral with one another. The structure of Figure 1 is a one piece construction. The body 1 is preferably provided at its open bottom with an external flange 5 to facilitate the attachment of the bottom seal 6 (shown in Figure 6).

The valve or valve unit 7, shown in Figure 2, is preferably of the kind shown in my prior application, Serial No. 118,301 filed September 28, 1949, Patent No. 2,631,814, issued March 17, 1953, although any other appropriate valve may be employed in lieu of this particular valve structure. The valve comprises a valve body 8 provided, intermediate its top and bottom, with an external channel 8a. Within the valve body is a valve seat and a cooperating sealing member. A valve stem 9 projects upwardly above the valve body and a discharge tube 10 depends from the bottom thereof and is of a length to extend to substantially the bottom of the container when the parts are assembled. The perforation 4 in the valve casing 3 is of a size to permit passage of the valve stem 9.

Having the container and the valve, the method of this invention proceeds to introduce the valve into the container through the open bottom 2 of the latter, to position the valve body within the casing 3, with the valve stem 9 projecting through the perforation 4. These operations may be carried out with the aid of a wide variety of apparatus, one illustrative form of which is shown in Figures 3 and 4.

According to this showing, the mandrel 11, illustrated in Figure 3, is provided with a central passage 12 having casing.

.a seat 13 near its upper end. The valve is first mounted on the mandrel, as shown in this figure, with the discharge tube extending downwardly into the passage 12 and the valve body 8 resting upon the seat 13, a gasket 8b having been positioned on the top of said body with the valve stem 9 extending through a perforation in the center of the gasket. The container is then slipped downwardly over the mandrel to pass the valve through the bottom opening of the container and into the interior of the casing 3 wherein the gasket is brought to a seat against the inner face of the top wall 4 with the valve stem extending through the perforation 4 therein.

The mandrel 11 is supported for rotation on anantifriction bearing 14 carried by a vertically movable plunger 15 mounted for swinging movement on an arm 16 carried by a rod 17; This rod is adapted to swing on its vertical axis in order to permit the movement of the mandrel into and out of coaxial relation with a rotary head 18, directly below which are positioned a pair of pressure rolls 19.

In using this apparatus, the plunger 15 is swung out laterally from beneath the rotary head 18 to permit the valve and container to be assembled on the mandrel as stated. The arm 16 is then swung into the position of Figure 3 to axially aline the container with the rotary head 18 and the plunger is lifted to cause the upper end of the valve casing to a firm seat in a recess 20 in the lower end of said head. Sufficient pressure is thus applied to compress the gasket 8b and form an air tight seal between the valve body 8 and the end wall of the casing.

The head 18 is thereupon rotated by a driven gear 21, causing the container and mandrel to be rotated there with by virtue of the friction between these parts and, while they are thus rotated, the pressure wheels 19 are moved toward one another to engage the wall of the valve casing 3 and press an annular portion of said wall into the channel 8a of the valve body, as shown at in Figure 4. This serves to firmly secure the valve within its The rotation of the head 18 is then discontinued, the pressure wheels 19 withdrawn, the plunger 15 is low ered and the arm 16 swung laterally from beneath the head 19 to permit the casing with valve attached to be withdrawn from the mandrel 11.

This method of attachment of the valve 7 within its casing 3 will form a gas tight seal between these parts, although, ifdesired, a ring gasket may be placed within the channel 8a of the valve body before assembly.

The assembly is then inverted and charged with the material M, which includes an appropriate liquefied gas such as is commonly used with aerosol products. While being thus filled, it may be conveniently supported in the die or holder 23 shown in Figure 6.

The bottom of the container is then sealed by permanently applying the bottom seal 6 while the filled container remains in the holder 23, as shown in Figure 7. Upon the completion of this step the sealed article is removed from the holder and is ready for the market. The end product is gas tight and well able to withstand the relatively high pressures contained therein. Practically every step of the process may be carried out. mechanically and expeditiously. The mounting of the valve requires no soldering and skilled workmen need not be employed in carrying out any step of the process.

An important feature of this invention is that the valve may be made of very small diameter and the body of the casing may be made of correspondingly small diameter for it need be no larger than the diameter of the valve casing. This is graphically illustrated in Figure 8, wherein a container, appropriate for the dispensing of perfumes, is illustrated as comprising a container approximately the size of a fountain pen. A cap, such as is used on a fountain pen, is indicated at 24 and forms an entirely satisfactory cover for the press button, so that the latter will not be inadvertently actuated when carried in a pocket or a purse.

The present invention solves many problems which have hitherto vexed the mindset the foremost experts in the art to which the present invention pertains and provides a simple, economical, safe and efiicient dispenser.

In the preferred form of the invention hereinbefore described, the valve is secured within its casing by pressing a circumferential portion of the easing into a channel in the valve body. This is a highly eificient procedure for the purpose stated. It is to be understood, however, that the valve may be otherwise secured in this position. For example, the channel about the valve body may be replaced by a plurality of annularly disposed depressions or recesses into which registering portions of the casing may be pressed, or the valve may be secured within its casing by means of an appropriate cement or adhesive. For thesereasons, the, invention is to be understood as fully commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An aerosol dispenser comprising: a'one piece container body provided at its top with an integral protuberant hollow boss open at its bottom to the interior of the body and having an integral perforated top Wall, in combination with a valve body secured in snugly interfitting telescoped relation to and within said hollow boss and seated against the perforated top wall of the latter to form therewith a hermetic seal, said hollow boss having an internal rib engaging with an abutment on the valve body to lock the valve body within the boss, a dispensing valve having a relatively movable tubular valve stem projecting from the valve body through said perforation, and means hermetically sealing the bottom of said container body.

2. A one piece container body according to claim 1, wherein the container body is provided at its open bottom with an external peripheral flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,731,250 McAtree Oct. 15, 1929 1,749,565 Coryell Mar. 4, 1930 1,908,584 Weirich May 9, 1933 2,113,695 Krannak Apr. 12, 1938 2,227,440 Church Jan. 7, 1941 2,376,404 Thoms May 22, 1945 2,434,832 Bruun Jan. 20, .1948 2,487,434 Geiss et al. Nov. 8, 1949 2,529,808 Martin Nov. 14, 1950 2,621,014 Efford Dec. 9, 1952 

1. AN AEROSOL DISPENSER COMPRISING: A ONE PIECE CONTAINER BODY PROVIDED AT ITS TOP WITH AN INTEGRAL PROTUBERANT HOLLOW BOSS OPEN AT ITS BOTTOM TO THE INTERIOR OF THE BODY WALL AND HAVING AN INTEGRAL PERFORATED TOP WALL, IN COMBINATION WITH A VALVE BODY SECURED IN SNUGLY INTERFITTING TELESCOPED RELATION TO AND WITHIN SAID HOLLOW BOSS AND SEATED AGAINST THE PERFORATED TOP WALL OF THE LATTER TO FORM THEREWITH A HERMETIC SEAL, SAID HOLLOW BOSS HAVING AN INTENAL RIB ENGAGING WITH AN ABUTMENT ON THE VALVE BODY TO LOCK THE VALVE BODY WITHIN THE BOSS, A DISPENSING VALVE HAVING A RELATIVELY MOVABLE TUBULAR VALVE STEM PROJECTING FROM THE VALVE BODY THROUGH SAID PERFORATION, AND MEANS HERMETICALLY SEALING THE BOTTOM OF SAID CONTAINER BODY. 